Caucus News

Sacramento, CA – Today, SB 606 by Senator Lena Gonzalez was approved by the California State Senate Judiciary Committee. SB 606 would give the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) the necessary tools to hold large employers accountable for workplace health and safety violations and strengthen worker protections to encourage workers to report unsafe working conditions and prevent employer retaliation.

SACRAMENTO – Building on the fundamental notion that Californians should have prompt access to birth control when they need it, the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee today approved Senate Bill 523 authored by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) that will expand and modernize birth control access in California—and ensure greater contraceptive equity statewide—regardless of an individual’s gender or insurance coverage status.

SONOMA – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, will host a virtual town hall April 13 on wildfire preparedness and prevention featuring a panel of experts including the state’s top firefighter, Cal Fire Chief Thom Porter.

The town hall will be broadcast live on KSVY Sonoma Radio/TV and streamed across multiple channels. Panelists will join Sen. Dodd in answering submitted questions and calls from viewers.

The California Armenian Legislative Caucus is holding two scholarship contests for the 2021 commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. California high school students in 9th through 12th grade are invited to participate in an essay contest and/or a visual arts contest to increase greater awareness of the Armenian Genocide on its anniversary. 

ORINDA – Senator Steve Glazer, D-Contra Costa, announced today that he has added a district representative to his staff.

Alexia Lopez, a lifelong Contra Costa County resident, will work in Senator Glazer’s district offices in Antioch and Orinda. Lopez will graduate this spring from San Jose State University with a BA in Political Science and a minor in Legal Studies.

DELANO, CA – Today, Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) and Senator Anna Caballero (D-Salinas) met with First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. Dr. Biden visited Forty Acres in Delano to meet with farmworkers and recognize César Chávez Day. 

Negotiations with Bay Area Legislators and Governor’s Office Lead to Increased Funds for Vaccine Distribution to Integrate Hardest-Hit Communities in the Bay Area

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and California Franchise Tax Board extended their tax filing deadlines from April 15 to May 17! This gives you additional time to prepare your documents and learn more about tax programs you may qualify for.

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, issued the following statement today in response to an announcement from Gov. Gavin Newsom that California would invest more than $80 million to hire 1,400 new firefighters, bolstering fuels management and response efforts before the coming wildfire season:

For Immediate Release
East Palo Alto continues to lag behind in vaccine access
MENLO PARK – State Senator Josh Becker called on the state to immediately expand vaccine eligibility to all residents in vulnerable communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.